NCAA: Johnny Manziel can keep lawsuit money

Updated 11:40 pm, Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Texas A&M QB Johnny Manziel is suing for an infringement on his “Johnny Football” nickname.

Texas A&M QB Johnny Manziel is suing for an infringement on his “Johnny Football” nickname.

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Texas A&M's quarterback Johnny Manziel, the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner, poses for photos during a press conference Saturday Dec. 8, 2012 at the New York Marriott Marquis hotel in New York, New York.

Texas A&M's quarterback Johnny Manziel, the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner, poses for photos during a press conference Saturday Dec. 8, 2012 at the New York Marriott Marquis hotel in New York, New York.

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Texas A&M's quarterback Johnny Manziel, the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner, poses for photos during a press conference Saturday Dec. 8, 2012 at the New York Marriott Marquis hotel in New York, New York.

Texas A&M's quarterback Johnny Manziel, the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner, poses for photos during a press conference Saturday Dec. 8, 2012 at the New York Marriott Marquis hotel in New York, New York.

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Texas A&M's quarterback Johnny Manziel, the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner, grabs the trophy while posing for photos during a press conference Saturday Dec. 8, 2012 at the New York Marriott Marquis hotel in New York, New York. less

Texas A&M's quarterback Johnny Manziel, the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner, grabs the trophy while posing for photos during a press conference Saturday Dec. 8, 2012 at the New York Marriott Marquis hotel in New ... more

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Texas A&M's quarterback Johnny Manziel, the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner, kisses the trophy as he poses for photos during a press conference Saturday Dec. 8, 2012 at the New York Marriott Marquis hotel in New York, New York. less

Texas A&M's quarterback Johnny Manziel, the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner, kisses the trophy as he poses for photos during a press conference Saturday Dec. 8, 2012 at the New York Marriott Marquis hotel in New ... more

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Texas A&M's quarterback Johnny Manziel, the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner, poses for photos during a press conference Saturday Dec. 8, 2012 at the New York Marriott Marquis hotel in New York, New York.

Texas A&M's quarterback Johnny Manziel, the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner, poses for photos during a press conference Saturday Dec. 8, 2012 at the New York Marriott Marquis hotel in New York, New York.

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Texas A&M's quarterback Johnny Manziel, the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner, answers questions from the media during a press conference Saturday Dec. 8, 2012 at the New York Marriott Marquis hotel in New York, New York. less

Texas A&M's quarterback Johnny Manziel, the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner, answers questions from the media during a press conference Saturday Dec. 8, 2012 at the New York Marriott Marquis hotel in New York, New ... more

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Texas A&M's quarterback Johnny Manziel, the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner, answers questions from the media during a press conference Saturday Dec. 8, 2012 at the New York Marriott Marquis hotel in New York, New York. less

Texas A&M's quarterback Johnny Manziel, the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner, answers questions from the media during a press conference Saturday Dec. 8, 2012 at the New York Marriott Marquis hotel in New York, New ... more

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Texas A&M's quarterback Johnny Manziel, the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner, answers questions from the media during a press conference Saturday Dec. 8, 2012 at the New York Marriott Marquis hotel in New York, New York. less

Texas A&M's quarterback Johnny Manziel, the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner, answers questions from the media during a press conference Saturday Dec. 8, 2012 at the New York Marriott Marquis hotel in New York, New ... more

Texas A&M's quarterback Johnny Manziel, the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner, answers questions from the media Saturday Dec. 8, 2012 at the New York Marriott Marquis hotel in New York, New York.

Texas A&M's quarterback Johnny Manziel, the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner, answers questions from the media Saturday Dec. 8, 2012 at the New York Marriott Marquis hotel in New York, New York.

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Texas A&M's quarterback Johnny Manziel, the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner, poses for photos during a press conference Saturday Dec. 8, 2012 at the New York Marriott Marquis hotel in New York, New York.

Texas A&M's quarterback Johnny Manziel, the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner, poses for photos during a press conference Saturday Dec. 8, 2012 at the New York Marriott Marquis hotel in New York, New York.

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Texas A&M's quarterback Johnny Manziel, the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner, answers questions from the media Saturday Dec. 8, 2012 at the New York Marriott Marquis hotel in New York, New York.

Texas A&M's quarterback Johnny Manziel, the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner, answers questions from the media Saturday Dec. 8, 2012 at the New York Marriott Marquis hotel in New York, New York.

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Texas A&M's quarterback Johnny Manziel, the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner, poses for photos during a press conference Saturday Dec. 8, 2012 at the New York Marriott Marquis hotel in New York, New York.

Texas A&M's quarterback Johnny Manziel, the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner, poses for photos during a press conference Saturday Dec. 8, 2012 at the New York Marriott Marquis hotel in New York, New York.

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View of the 2012 Heisman Memorial Trophy won by Texas A&M's quarterback Johnny Manziel Saturday Dec. 8, 2012 at the New York Marriott Marquis hotel in New York, New York.

View of the 2012 Heisman Memorial Trophy won by Texas A&M's quarterback Johnny Manziel Saturday Dec. 8, 2012 at the New York Marriott Marquis hotel in New York, New York.

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Texas A&M's quarterback Johnny Manziel, the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner, answers questions from the media during a press conference Saturday Dec. 8, 2012 at the New York Marriott Marquis hotel in New York, New York. less

Texas A&M's quarterback Johnny Manziel, the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner, answers questions from the media during a press conference Saturday Dec. 8, 2012 at the New York Marriott Marquis hotel in New York, New ... more

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Texas A&M's quarterback Johnny Manziel, the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner, poses for photos during a press conference Saturday Dec. 8, 2012 at the New York Marriott Marquis hotel in New York, New York.

Texas A&M's quarterback Johnny Manziel, the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner, poses for photos during a press conference Saturday Dec. 8, 2012 at the New York Marriott Marquis hotel in New York, New York.

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Texas A&M's quarterback Johnny Manziel, the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner, (left) and Texas A&M's headcoach Kevin Sumlin answers questions from the media during a press conference Saturday Dec. 8, 2012 at the New York Marriott Marquis hotel in New York, New York. less

Texas A&M's quarterback Johnny Manziel, the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner, poses for photos during a press conference Saturday Dec. 8, 2012 at the New York Marriott Marquis hotel in New York, New York.

Texas A&M's quarterback Johnny Manziel, the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner, poses for photos during a press conference Saturday Dec. 8, 2012 at the New York Marriott Marquis hotel in New York, New York.

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Texas A&M's quarterback Johnny Manziel, the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner, poses for photos during a press conference Saturday Dec. 8, 2012 at the New York Marriott Marquis hotel in New York, New York.

Texas A&M's quarterback Johnny Manziel, the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner, poses for photos during a press conference Saturday Dec. 8, 2012 at the New York Marriott Marquis hotel in New York, New York.

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Heisman finalist Kansas State's quarterback Collin Klein poses for photos during a press conference before the Heisman winner announcement Saturday Dec. 8, 2012 at the New York Marriott Marquis hotel in New York, New York. less

Heisman finalist Kansas State's quarterback Collin Klein poses for photos during a press conference before the Heisman winner announcement Saturday Dec. 8, 2012 at the New York Marriott Marquis hotel in New ... more

Texas A&M fans wait for the Heisman Trophy announcement in Times Square Saturday Dec. 8, 2012 in New York, New York. Texas A&M's quarterback Johnny Manziel won the Heisman Trophy.

Texas A&M fans wait for the Heisman Trophy announcement in Times Square Saturday Dec. 8, 2012 in New York, New York. Texas A&M's quarterback Johnny Manziel won the Heisman Trophy.

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Heisman finalist Texas A&M's quarterback Johnny Manziel poses for photos during a press conference before the Heisman winner announcement Saturday Dec. 8, 2012 at the New York Marriott Marquis hotel in New York, New York. less

Heisman finalist Texas A&M's quarterback Johnny Manziel poses for photos during a press conference before the Heisman winner announcement Saturday Dec. 8, 2012 at the New York Marriott Marquis hotel in New ... more

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Heisman finalist Texas A&M's quarterback Johnny Manziel waves to fans outside the Best Buy Theater in Times Square before the Heisman winner announcement Saturday Dec. 8, 2012 in New York, New York.

Heisman finalist Texas A&M's quarterback Johnny Manziel waves to fans outside the Best Buy Theater in Times Square before the Heisman winner announcement Saturday Dec. 8, 2012 in New York, New York.

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Fans from Kerrville, Tx., hold a sign for Heisman finalist Texas A&M's quarterback Johnny Manziel outside the New York Marriott Marquis hotel before the Heisman winner announcement Saturday Dec. 8, 2012 in New York, New York. less

Fans from Kerrville, Tx., hold a sign for Heisman finalist Texas A&M's quarterback Johnny Manziel outside the New York Marriott Marquis hotel before the Heisman winner announcement Saturday Dec. 8, 2012 in New ... more

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Heisman finalist Texas A&M's quarterback Johnny Manziel poses for photos during a press conference before the Heisman winner announcement Saturday Dec. 8, 2012 at the New York Marriott Marquis hotel in New York, New York. less

Heisman finalist Texas A&M's quarterback Johnny Manziel poses for photos during a press conference before the Heisman winner announcement Saturday Dec. 8, 2012 at the New York Marriott Marquis hotel in New ... more

Heisman finalist Notre Dame's linebacker Manti Te'o poses for photos during a press conference before the Heisman winner announcement Saturday Dec. 8, 2012 at the New York Marriott Marquis hotel in New York, New York. less

Heisman finalist Notre Dame's linebacker Manti Te'o poses for photos during a press conference before the Heisman winner announcement Saturday Dec. 8, 2012 at the New York Marriott Marquis hotel in New York, ... more

Joey Lopez, middle, and other fans of Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel celebrate as the announcement is made on television at the Wing King restaurant in Kerrville that Manziel has won the Heisman trophy on Saturday night, Dec. 8, 2012. Manziel played high school football for Tivy High School in Kerrville. less

Joey Lopez, middle, and other fans of Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel celebrate as the announcement is made on television at the Wing King restaurant in Kerrville that Manziel has won the Heisman trophy on ... more

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Joey Lopez, middle, and other fans of Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel celebrate as the announcement is made on television at the Wing King restaurant in Kerrville that Manziel has won the Heisman trophy on Saturday night, Dec. 8, 2012. Manziel played high school football for Tivy High School in Kerrville. less

Joey Lopez, middle, and other fans of Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel celebrate as the announcement is made on television at the Wing King restaurant in Kerrville that Manziel has won the Heisman trophy on ... more

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Fans of Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel watch as Manziel accepts the Heisman trophy on televison at the Wing King restaurant in Kerrville on Saturday night, Dec. 8, 2012. Manziel played high school football for Tivy High School in Kerrville. less

Fans of Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel watch as Manziel accepts the Heisman trophy on televison at the Wing King restaurant in Kerrville on Saturday night, Dec. 8, 2012. Manziel played high school ... more

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Fans of Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel gather at the Wing King restaurant in Kerrville, Texas, for the televised Heisman Trophy announcement on Saturday night, Dec. 8, 2012. Manziel played high school football for Tivy High School in Kerrville. less

Fans of Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel gather at the Wing King restaurant in Kerrville, Texas, for the televised Heisman Trophy announcement on Saturday night, Dec. 8, 2012. Manziel played high school ... more

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A Texas A&M helmet adorns the Wing King restaurant in Kerrville, Texas, where fans gathered for a Heisman Trophy announcement watch party on Saturday night, Dec. 8, 2012. Johnny Manziel, who played high school football for Tivy High School in Kerrville, won the Heisman trophy. less

A Texas A&M helmet adorns the Wing King restaurant in Kerrville, Texas, where fans gathered for a Heisman Trophy announcement watch party on Saturday night, Dec. 8, 2012. Johnny Manziel, who played high school ... more

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Tony Castillo and son, Jaden, show their enthusiasm for Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M quarterback who won the Heisman trophy, on Saturday, Dec. 8, 2012. Fans in Kerrville, where Manziel played high school football, gathered at the Wing King restaurant. less

Tony Castillo and son, Jaden, show their enthusiasm for Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M quarterback who won the Heisman trophy, on Saturday, Dec. 8, 2012. Fans in Kerrville, where Manziel played high school football, ... more

“I go to compliance before I ever arrange a trip,” Manziel said of his ventures to NBA games, the Super Bowl and even Mardi Gras in New Orleans. “Two weeks before the Super Bowl, I had already talked to compliance to set it up with who I was going with, where I was staying, how we were paying for it — everything.”

Manziel, who's taking online courses this semester to avoid creating a commotion on campus, is a sports management major, but he might consider pestering the university for college credit concerning NCAA compliance.

Of late, college sports' governing body has chimed in on the newest issue concerning the effervescent Manziel: whether student-athletes will be able to cash in on lawsuits concerning trademark infringements.

Manziel, the former Kerrville Tivy star who's represented by two Tyler attorneys, has filed a lawsuit against Eric Vaughan, claiming an infringement on Manziel's “Johnny Football” nickname. The lawsuit claims Vaughan was selling T-shirts that read “Keep Calm and Johnny Football” starting last November.

According to the Southeast Texas Record, “JMAN2 Enterprises is asking the court for injunctive relief and an award of damages for the unlawful sale of goods, exemplary damages, attorneys' fees, interest and court costs.”

The Manziel family trademarked “Johnny Football” last fall.

The NCAA has informed A&M that Manziel, 20, will be able to keep any potential earnings from the lawsuit.

The NCAA added in its initial declaration to the university that its ruling doesn't mean a student-athlete can sue an individual — say a booster of his school — with the intent of the defendant channeling money to the student-athlete via a bogus lawsuit.

“The NCAA specifically said Manziel has a right to keep any winnings from a civil proceeding as a private entity, but if it was an orchestrated event enabling a cash flow to the student-athlete, that would be a violation of NCAA rules,” said Shane Hinckley, A&M's vice president for business development. “They called that out from the beginning.”

Hinckley also pointed out that Vaughan was printing “Johnny Football” shirts before the question ever arose between A&M and the NCAA concerning a lawsuit.

In other A&M quarterback news, Manziel's backup Jameill Showers said Tuesday via Twitter he intends to transfer to UTEP this summer following his graduation from A&M.

He will be eligible immediately as a UTEP graduate student and will have two years remaining to play after redshirting at A&M in 2010.

The Aggies host the Miners on Nov. 2 in a non-conference contest that likely will pit the two close friends who competed for A&M's starting gig deep into training camp last August against each other.

The Aggies open spring drills Saturday, and the annual Maroon & White game is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. April 13 at Kyle Field.